The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-11-22
BY THE NECK.
The Hanging of Tilliman C. JUS
tiCe in Towns County.
A DAsTARDLY CRIME AVENGED.

GAINESVILLE, Ga, November 1S.-[Special.l
Tilman c. Justice, the murderer of James
Is. Goddard, was hanged today in Hiwassee,
Towns county.
A brief history of his trouble with Mr.. GOO
dard and of his crime in finally numbering
him, is as follows
Justice was a moonshiner and was run
ming q rented still in the wilds of Towns coun-
ty In his employ was q young man by the
name OF Coward, SON of Jason Coward, who
was the only eyewitness to the horrible crime.
Goddard and Justice Were adjoining land
owners, and lived one mile from each other.
While they were close neighbors, peace did not
reign between them, but on frequent occasions
they had their differences about land lines and
other matters. Jason Coward, who is con-
spicuous figure in the commission of the crime,
as stated by the condemned man, lived about
eight miles from Justice and on Sunday eve
ming before the killing on Monday, came to
the house of Justice to inform him and his son,
young Coward, that old man Goddard had re-
ported the still, saying that Goddard ought to
be killed. Young Coward was at the still
house and did not see his father at Justices
house, but saw him as he passed the still on
his way TO the house of Colonel Rodgers,
where he spent the night. AT supper on Sun
day night young Coward told Justice that he
had seen his father, and that he had told him
that old man Goddard had reported the still,
and that they were likely to get into trouble
about it. Young Coward after supper returned
to his post at the still, and on Monday morn
ing while Justice was sleeping, Jason Coward
was knocking his at his door for admittance.
lie was admitted and the two began drinking
whisky to prepare them for the tragedy.
The story of the murder, as told by the
doomed man is as follows:
During the morning Coward saw old man
Goddard pass the house in the big road which
was about one hundred yards from the house,
and called to Justice. They then decided to
load Justices double baweled shot gun, and
lying patiently for his return. Coward charged
both barrels heavily with small shot. For two
hours they sat upon the piazza with their eyes
strained in the direction from whence God
dard would come, and ever and anon taking
draught OF the poisonous tire-water.
While thus engaged and at the heighth of
their revels old man Goddard made his ap-
pearance, and now was their time for action.
In twinlling they were in line on the
march to carry out their premeditated murder
They walked briskly for three quarters of q
mile and in a quarter of the victims home,
where they halted and again waited to see the
old man. Goddard had reached his three
score years, and his step was slow and feeble
but on and on he came, innocent of danger
and OF the dreadful fate which awaited him.
He turned out OF the road into a trail, and
kept moving toward his home-he looked up
and in ten steps to the front and i'll the trail
stood the two men, one with gun pointing
toward him. Justice, who held the gun,
charged him with reporting his still. He re-
Piled
81 did not do it,"
Justice pulled the trigger end the charge
took effect in Goddard's face: again Justice
pulled the trigger and the charge broke God
dard's arm. Not satisfied, Justice advanced
upon Goddard, and made an effort to brain
him with the gun, but the gun hit log over
Goddard's head and was snapped at the lock-
plate, and the locks and barrels fell to the
ground, and his work was done. Justice
dashed the butt down, and at once Coward
mir III ba harr lie INIT nd
them distance of one hundred and sixty
yards, where he hid them under the side of a
log, covering them with leaves. Old man God
dard was left upon the ground as he fell well
tering in his blood, and the demons fastening
away. made an effort to hide their awful crime.
Jason GODDARD went over to Hightower creek
that evening, and told Davis Burl that Justice
had killed old man Goddard, The body of
the murdered man was found that evenings
and large crowd was assembled when the
killing was announced in the settlement.
Justice was among tho crowd, but kept his
secret, and Coward did not make his appear
ance until the next day The locks of the gun
were found on the evening of the day of the
murder, where they had been left, and on the
next morning the butt and barrels were
brought out from their hiding place.
Justice was arrested and charged with the
commission of the crime, and at the March
term, 1887, OF Towns superior court, he was
tried for the murder, but a mistrial was de-
cared, the jury standing eleven for conviction
and one for acquittal. He was placed in the
Hall county Jail for safe keeping, and on the
End day of June, he, together with G.. V.
Ayers, the safe blower, and two negroes made
their escape; but Justice and Ayers were cap
tured in Habersham county on or about the 18th
ofJune, and again placed in jail in Gainesville
AT the September term of Towns superior
court he was again called to answer to the in
dictment for murder, and he answered "Not
guilty." The prosecution was conducted by
Solicitor General Howard Thompson, who
was assisted by II. c. Standrige, OF Hiawas-
see, while the defense was in the hands of
John j. Kimsey, of Cleveland, and w. G.
Blackwell, of Hiawassee. After trial lasting
two days Justice was found guilty OF murder
in the first degree, and his honor, G. J. Well
born, sentenced him to be hung on the 18th
day of November. Justice and the judge
lived in adjoining counties, and were acquaint-
ances, and the judge was moved to tears while
passing the sentence of death upon the doomed
man. The gun was recognized as Justices gun,
and this was strong evidence against him
Justice was about thirty years of age, and
has wife and three children, five three and
two years of age, whom lac leaves in destitute
circumstances, as he gave his property to his
counsel for defending him. He was born and
reared in Rabun county, and was a quiet and
unassumlng man until he commenced to still
and drink, when he became hardened. God
dard left a wife about forty-fye years of age,
without any children, and left good property
Tor that section of country.
Justice spent the most Of his time, after his
sentence, in reading the Bible and making
ready for the conclusion Of the whole matter
lie was quite anxious for ministers 10 visit him
and assist him III making peace with his God.
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